Underground electric-railway system.



No. 650,585. Patented May 29, I900.

J. B. LARKIN.

UNDERGROUND ELECTRIC RAILWAY SYSTEM.

(Application filed Nuv. 3, 1899.)

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No. 650,585. Patented May 29, I900. J B. LARKIN.

UNDERGROUND ELECTRIC RAILWAY SYSTEM.

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No. 650,585. J Patented ma 29, I900. .1. B. LARKIN.

UNDERGROUND ELECTRIC RAILWAY SYSTEM.

' (Application filed Nov. 3, 1899.)

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No. 650,585. Patented May 29,1900.

.1. B. LARKIN.

UNDERGROUND ELECTRIC RAILWAY SYSTEM.

(Application filed Nov. 3, 1899.]

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W/ TNE SSE S A IN VE N 70f? 6 MHNEYS No. 650,585. Patented May 29, I900.

J. B. LARKIN. 1

.UNDEBGRUUND ELECTRIC RAILWAY SYSTEM.

(Application filed Nov. 3, 1899.)

(No Model.) 6 Sheets-Sheet 5.

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No. 650,585., Patented May 29,1900. J. B. LARKIN.

UNDERGROUND ELECTRIC RAILWAY SYSTEM.

(Application filed Nov. 3, 1899.)

(No Model.) 6 Sheets-Shet 6y.

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UNITED S ,T ATES* PAT NT OFFICE.

JOHN B. LARKIN, or PITTSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA.

UNDERGROUND ELECTRIC-RAILWAY SYSTEM.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 650,585, dated May 29, 1900.

Application filed November- 3, 1899. Serial No. 735,684. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN B. LARKIN, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Pittsburg, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Underground Electric-Railway Systems, of which the following is a specification,reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in systems for underground electric railways, and more particularly to subsurface conduits for electric conductors, in which a traveling connection is established and maintained between the moving car and the closed and protected feed-conductor by a contact device moving with the car and extending to sectional bars covering or closing the slot in the duct or conduit; and the herein-described invention has for one object the provision of novel means whereby the electric feed wire is conducted underground and protected against surface traffic, water, snow, dirt, and debris and is placed safely out of the way from interference.

The present invention has for its further object to place the conduit in a position adjacent to the motor under the car in the roadwaybetween the rails or outside of the rail, whereby the slot leading to the conduit may be easily opened through the medium and arrangement of novel mechanism attached to the moving car, and, furthermore, to provide against interference from heavy and constant traffic of vehicles traveling over the conduit. This invention further aims to provide an automatic slot closer or cover that will resist any direct downward pressure that may be brought to bear upon the same by overlapping one edge of the rail-tread and also forming thereby a support for the slot-closer.

The invention further contemplates the construction of a shallow conduit, preferably adjacent to and extending in alinement with the rail of the track, the depth of said conduit depending on the distance between the base of the rail and the head of thesame, the foundation for the conduit being the ties on which the rails rest, or a cross-timber may be spiked to the rail-ties and the conduit lifted to a line near the street, thereby making it possible to arrange the mechanism within a comparatively-contracted space and greatly reducing the cost of construction.

Another object of the present invention is to simplify the construction of the sections forming the conduit,so that they may be easily drawn from the sand while in process of molding, and in a unique manner provide supports for the sectional slot-closer to move upon during the operation of opening and closing the longitudinal slot or opening in the conduit, said supports also providing proper supportfor the electric conductor along any desired line or curve and at any desired interval of space in and along the line of conduit.

With the above and other objects in view the invention finally consists in the novel construction, combination, and arrangement of. parts to be hereinafter more fully described, and specifically pointed out in the claims.

In describing the invention in detail ref erence is had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, and wherein like numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views, in which- Figure 1 is a side elevation of a car with my improved mechanism attached thereto for opening and closing the sectional slot-closer and operating the trolley. Fig. 2 is an end view of the car, showing in vertical section the road-bed and mechanism arranged therein. Fig. '2 is a vertical sectional view of the spring-arm of the depressing-Wheels. Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the road-bed, showing the depressing-wheels of the car in engagement with the sectional slot-closer. Fig. 4 is a side elevation of the conduit. Fig. 5 is a plan view of the sectional slot-closer. Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional view of the same. Fig. 7 is a plan View of the road-bed, showing the construction arranged to crossings and at intervals on other roads. Fig. 8 is an enlarged vertical sectional View of the conduit and a portion of the depressing-wheels of the car, showing a section of the slot-closer open. Fig. 9 is a similar view showing the slot-closer in a closed position. Fig. 10 is a perspective view of one of the sections of the conduit. Fig. 11 is an inverted perspective view of the cover. Fig. 12 is a perspective View of the modified form of sections of the conduit. Fig. 13 is a perspective view of a'modified form of lid or cover employed in connection with the section shown in Fig. 12. Fig. 14 is a perspective View of one of the sections of the slot-closer. Fig. is a perspective view of a modified form of slot-closer. Fig. 16 is a vertical sectional view of the insulator carrying the feed-wire. Fig. 17 is a vertical sec tional view of a modified form of conduit and slot-closer, showing the same in a closed position. Fig. 18 is a similar view showing the depressing-wheel engaging the section of the slot-closer and the latter in. an opened position.

In the drawings the reference-numeral 1 indicates the car. 2 represents the platform thereof; 3, a bearing rigidly secured to the under face. of the car carrying a shaft 4, having rotatably mounted thereon a,depressingwheel 5. A similar bearing 3 is also rigidly secured to the under face of the car, carrying a shaft 4, having rotatably mounted thereon a depressing-wheel 5, said wheels 5 and 5' being set at a slight angle. These wheels 5 and 5 are provided with a peripheral flange to engage the sections forming the slot-closer. Between the depressing-wheels 5 and 5' to the bottomof the car is secured a hanger 6, to which is pivotally attached at 7 a trolley-arm 8, forming at its lower extremity a harp 9, in which is mounted a trolley-wheel 10, said trolley-arm 8 being further provided with an apertured lug 11 forthe reception of the one end of an operatingcord 12, the latter passing over pulleys 13 and 14, the pulley 13 being arranged in a hanger 13, secured to the bottom of the car, and thepulley 14, operating in a hanger 14', arranged under the forward end of the platform of the car, said platform having formed therein an opening 15, allowing the operating-cord 12 to be passed therethrough and fastened to the hook 15, arranged and rigidly secured to the inner face of the fender 16. Another hook 17 is likewise secured to the fender and is arranged a distance abov'e'the hook 15. A spiral spring 18 is attached to the trolley arm and the free end thereof fastened to the bottom of the car, serving to normally retain the trolley-arm in the slot and'assuring a constant contact of the trolley-wheel with the feed-wire.

The reference-numerals 1 9 indicate the rails, and-20 a conduit, which is preferably arranged adjacent to and extending outwardly from the rail and in alinement therewith, said conduit being formed of sections, and consists of a casting 21, having a base portion 22, an inclined side 23, and terminating in an upwardly-extending wall 24. A suitable cover 25 is provided and has formed integral therewith downwardly-extending flanges, the lat ter adapted to embrace the upper portion of the wall 24 of the casting, the other wall of the conduit being formed by the rail-section.

Strengthening-plates 27 are forined integral with the casting 21 and are spaced apart at of the rail when the slot is closed.

The shaft 4 carries a bifurcated end 35, said bifurcated end carrying a pin 36, the latter being adapted to operate and ride in a slot 37,

formed in the hanger 38, carried by the bearing 3, the latter being rigidlysecured to the under face of the car. 39 is also securely attached in close proximity to the hanger 38, the lower end of saidspring encircling the upper portion of the shaft and serving to normally retain the shaft and depressing-wheel against the slot-closer. In case any obstruction is met vthe yielding connection so formed will readily permit the same to be'passed over without liability of breaking any ofthe parts. A buffer-spring 38 is pref erably arranged between the shoulder formed near the upper end of the shaft 4 and a like shoulder formed on the hanger 38, this spring being in the form of a coil and encircling the bifurcated upper end of the shaft 4 and the portion of the hanger 38 below its shoulder,

the said spring assistingthe spring 39 in normallyretaining the depressing-wheel in engagement with the slot-closer.

This invention, although differing but slightly from my previous application filed September 9, 1899, Serial No. 729,942, alongthe same line, permits the elevation of the elec tric conductor to a position much more readily reached by the trolley and. dispenses with lifting the depressing-wheels attached to the car out of the slot while passing obstructions or while the car through its momentum is passing over any portion of its course not adapted to conduitsfor instance, the crossing of another set of rails, a switch, or the like. The present device will permit the car to engage the slot-closing sectional bar from a position at or above the rail or whatever forms one side of the longitudinal slot.

The present application should be considered in conjunction with the former application heretofore referred to, as it will be noticed that I have not only simplified the construction and cheapened it, but I have arranged its sectional slot-closer bar as to make its movement easier, more direct, and have given it a resisting power that can be obtained in no other Way.

A retractile. spring It will be noted that various changesmay be made in the details of construction without departing from the general spirit of my invention. 7

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In an underground system for electric railways, the combination of a conduit formed of sections, a suitable cover for said conduit, a slot-closer formed of hinged sections operating horizontally in said conduit, a car, and means attached to said car to engage said slot-closer, substantially as described.

2. In an underground system for electric railways, the combination of a conduit having formed therein a slot, said conduit being formed of sections, a suitable cover for said conduit, a slot-closer formed of sections operating horizontally in said conduit, a car, and depressing-wheels arranged to said car adapted to engage and operate said slot-closer, substantially as described.

3. In an underground system for electric railways, the combination of a conduit, and rail having a slot formed between said conduit and rail, a removable cover arranged on said conduit, a slot-closer formed of sections operating horizontally in said conduit against said rail, a car, and means attached to said car for engaging and operating said slot closer, substantially as described.

4. In an underground system for electric railways,the combination of a conduit formed of sections, strengthening-plates formed integral with said sections and extending transversely thereto, a suitable cover, a slot-closer formed of sections operating horizontally in said conduit, a car, and depressing-wheels arranged to said car adapted to engage the said slot-closer, substantially as described.

,5. In an underground system for electric railways, a conduit formed of sections,

. strengthening-plates formed integral with said sections and extending transversely thereto, a suitable cover for said conduit, a slot-closer formed of sections operating horizontally in said conduit, a rail forming a slot between said conduit and rail, a car, depressing-wheels arranged to said car adapted to engage said slot-closer, a feed-wire, a trolley harp and wheel arranged to said car adapted to extend in said slot to engage the said feedwire, substantially as described.

6. In an underground system for electric railways, a conduit formed of sections, strengthening plates formed integral with said sections extending transversely thereto, a suitable cover, a slot-closer formed of sections, springs arranged in said slot-closer, a car, and means arranged to said car to engage said slot-closer, substantially as described.

7. In an underground system for electric railways, a conduit formed of sections, strengthening-plates formed integral therewith and extending transversely to said sections, a suitable cover, a slot-closer formed of sections operating upon said strengthening-plates, a car, and means attached to said car for engaging and operating said slotcloser, substantially as described.-

8. In an underground system for electric railways, a conduit formed of sections,

strengthening-plates arranged in said sec tions and formed integral therewith and extending transversely thereto, said strengthening-plates carrying a bracket and insulator, a feed-wire attached to'said insulator, a slot-closer formed of sections operating upon said strengthening-plates, a car, depressingwheels arranged to said car, a trolley-arm and harp carrying a trolley-wheel secured to said car and adapted to engage the said feed-wire, substantially as described.

9. In an underground electric system for railways, a conduit formed of sections, strengthening-plates carrying a bracket and insulator, a suitable cover for said conduit, a slot-closer formed of sections, springs arranged in said slot-closer, a car, depressingwheels attached to said car adaptedto engage said slot-closer, a trolley-arm, harp and trolley-wheel connected to said car adapted to engage the feed-wire secured to said insulator, substantially as described.

10. In an underground system for electric railways, the combination of a conduit formed by one of the rail-sections ot' the track and a series of casings, a suitable cover for said casings adapted to be so arranged as to form a longitudinal slot between the same and the said rail-section, a slot-closer formed ofa series of sectionssupported at one end Within the said casing and at its other end by the tread of the rail-section, and spring-actuated means carried by a car for operating the said slot-closer, substantially as set forth.

11. In an underground system for electric railways, the combination of a conduit formed by one of the rail-sections of the track and a series of casings, a suitable cover for said casings adapted to be so arranged as to form a longitudinal slot between the same and the said rail-section, a slot-closer formed of a series of sections supported at one end within the said casing and at its opposite end by the tread of the rail-section, and depressingwheels suitably connected to a car and having their tread formed with a peripheral flange adapted to engage the said slot-closer for operating the same, substantially as set forth.

12. In an underground system for electric railways, the combination of a conduit formed by one of the rail-sections of the track and a series of casings, a suitable cover for the said casings adapted to be so arranged as to form a longitudinal slot between the same and the said rail-section, a slot-closer formed of aseries of sections supported at one end within the said casings, and at its opposite end by the tread of the rail -section, depressingwheels, a hanger for suitably supporting said wheels from a car, and means connected to said hanger for retaining said wheel in engagement with the slot-closer to operate the latter, substantially as set forth.

13. In an underground system for electric railways,the combination of a conduit formed by one of the rail-sections of the track and a series of casings, a suitable cover forsaid casings having arranged between the same and the said rail-section a longitudinal slot, a series of strengthening or supporting plates arranged in said casings, a spring-actuated slotcloser formed of a series of sections and adapted to be supported by said plates and the tread of the rail-section, and spring-actuated means carried by a car adapted to engage the said slot-closer and operate the same,substantially as set forth.

14. In an underground system for electric railways, the combination of a conduit formed by one of the rail-sections of the track and a series of casings, a suitable cover for said casings having arranged between the same and the said rail-section a longitudinal slot, a series of strengthening or supporting plates arranged in said casing, a spring-actuated slotcloserformed of a series of sections and adapted to be supported by said plates and the tread of the rail-section, depressing-wheels, a hanger connected to the said wheels and adapted to suitably support the same from a car, and means engaging said hanger for retaining the said wheels in engagement with the slot-closer, substantially as set forth.

15. In an underground system for electric railways,the combination of a conduit formed by one of the rail-sections of the track and a series of casings, a suitable cover for the said casing having between the same and the said rail-section a longitudinal slot, a series of strengthening or supporting plates arranged in said casing, a spring-actuated slot-closer formed of a series of sections and adapted to be supported by said plates and the tread of the rail-section, depressing-wheels having a peripheral flange formed on their tread, a hanger connected to said wheels and adapted to suitably support the same from a car, and means connected to the said hanger for retaining said wheels in engagement with the slot-closer, substantially as set forth.

-16; In an underground system for electric railways,the combination of a conduit formed by the rail-section of the track and a series of casings,a suitable cover for said casings so arranged as to form a longitudinal slot between the same and said rail-section, a series of supporting or strengthening plates arranged in said casing, an electrical conductor carried by the said plates, a slot-closer oper-' ating within said casings and supported by the said plates and the tread of the rail-section, and spring-actuated means adapted to engage the said slot-closer for operating the same, substantially as described.

17. In an underground system for electric railways, the combination of a conduit formed by one of the rail-sections of the track and a series of casings, a suitable cover for said casings so arranged as to form a longitudinal slot between the same and said rail-section, a series of supporting or strengthening plates arranged in said casings, an electrical conductor carried by the said plates, a slot-closer operating Within said casing and supported by the said plates and the tread of the rail-section, said slot-closer being spring-actuated, and spring-actuated means carried by a car adapted to engage and operate the said slotcloser, substantially as set forth,

18. In an underground system for electric railways, the combination of a conduit formed by one of the rail-sections of the track and a series of casings, a suitable cover for said casing so arranged as to form a longitudinal slot between the same and said rail-section, a series of supporting or strengthening plates arranged in said casing, an electrical conductor carried by the said plates, a spring-actuated slot-closer operating within said casing and supported by the said plates and the tread of the rail-section, depressing-wheels, a hanger connected to said wheels and adapted to support the same from a car, and means connected to said hanger for retaining the said depressing-wheels inengagement with the said slot-closer, substantially as set forth.

19. In an underground system for electric railways, the combination of a conduit formed by one of the rail-sections of the track anda series of casings, a suitable cover for said casing so arranged as to form a longitudinal slot between the same and said rail-section, a series of supporting and strengthening plates arranged in said casing, an electrical conduc-.

tor carried by the said plates, a spring-actuated slot-closer formed of a series of sections operating within said casing and supported by the said plates and the tread of the railsection of the track, and spring-actuated depressing-wheels suitably supported from a caradapted to engage and operate the said slot-closer, substantially as set forth.

20. In an underground system for electric railways, the combination of a conduit formed by one of the rail-sections of the track and a series of casings, a suitable cover for said casing so arranged as'to form a longitudinal slot between the same and said rail-section, a se ries of supporting or strengthening plates arranged in said casing, an electrical conductor carried by the said plates, a spring-actuated slot-closer formed of a series of sections operating within said casing and supported by the said plates and the tread of the railsection of the track, depressing-wheels havin g their tread formed with a peripheralfiange suitably supported from a car, and means for operating the said wheels can sing'thereby the operation of the said slot-closer, substantially as set forth.

21. In an underground system for electric railways, the combination of a conduit formed by one of the rail-sections of the track and a series of casings, a suitable cover for said casings so arranged as to form a longitudinal slot between the same and said rail-section, a series of supporting or strengthening plates arranged in said casing, an electrical conductor carried by the said plates, a spring-actuated slot-closer formed of a series of sections operated within said casing and supported by the said plates and the tread of the rail-section of the track, and depressing-wheels pivotally connected to the underneath face of the car, to engage and operate the said slotcloser, substantially as described.

22. In an underground system for electric railways, the combination, of a conduit, a cover for said conduit, a spring-actuated slotcloser engaging the underneath face of the cover and movable transversely thereto and provided at one side with a shoulder adapted when in an inoperative position to engage and be supported by one side of the conduit, a car, and means carried by said car to engage said slot-closer and operate the same, substantially as described.

23. In an underground system for electric railways, the combination,of a conduit formed of a series of sections, and having a support for the electrical conductor formed integral therewith, a slot-closer arranged within said conduit and comprising a series of spring-actuated hinged sections movable transversely to the conduit, a car, and means carried by said car for operating the said slot-closer.

24. In an underground electric-railway system, a conduit and a stationary cover therefor provided with a pair of downwardly-extending flanges adapted to be mounted on one side of the conduit for supporting the cover in position, combined with a movable slotcloser adapted to normally close the slot of the conduit, and means carried by the car adapted to engage said slot-closer to operate the same to open the slot, substantially as described.

25. In an underground electric-railway system, a conduit formed of a series of sections and having a support for the electrical conductor formed integral therewith, a cover therefor, combined with a movable slot-closer arranged within the conduit and consisting of a series of hinged sections adapted to normally close the slot of the conduit, and means carried by the car for operating said slotcloser to open the slot, substantially as described.

26. In an underground electric-railway system, a conduit, a stationary cover, and a movable slot-closer arranged within the conduit and provided at one side with a shoulder adapted when in an inoperative position to engage and be supported by one side of the conduit, combined with means arranged within the conduit and engaging the slot-closer for holding the same normally in position to close the slot, and means carried by the car for engagement with the said slot-closer to operate the same and open the slot, substantially as described.

27. In an underground system for electric railways, the combination with a conduit the one wall of which is formed by a rail of the track, a cover for said conduit, a pair of downwardly-extending flanges formed integral with said cover and adapted to be mounted on one side of the conduit for supporting the cover in position, a movable slot-closer arranged within the conduit and adapted to normally en gage the said rail for closing the slot, and means carried by the car for engagement with the slot-closer to open the slot, substantially as described.

28. In an underground system for electric railways, the combination of a conduit arranged within the road-bed adjacent to one of the rails with the latter forming one wall of the conduit, astationary cover of less width than the conduit so as to form a slot between the edge of the cover and the rail, a springactuated slot-closer arranged within the conduit and adapted to normally engage the rail and be supported thereby to close the slot, and means carried by the car adapted to engage said slot-closer to operate the same and open the slot, as and for the purpose described.

29. In an underground system for electric railways, the combination of a conduit arranged in the road-bed adjacent to one rail of the track so that the said rail may form one wall of the conduit, supporting means for the said conduit formed integral therewith and adapted to support an electrical conductor, a cover engaging the opposite wall of the conduit and being of less wid th than the conduit so as to form a slot between its edge and the rail, a movable slot-closer arranged within the conduit, means for holding said slot-closer normally in engagement with the rail so as to close the slot, and means carried by the car adapted to engage the slot-closer to operate the same and open the slot as and for the purpose described.

30. In an underground system for electric railways, the combination with the track, of

a conduit arranged in the road-bed at one side of the track with the rail to which it is adjacent forming one wall of the conduit, supporting means for the said conduit formed integral therewith and adapted to support an electrical conductor, a stationary cover secured to the outer wall of the conduit, said cover being of less width than the conduit so as to form a slot between the inner edge of the cover and the adjacent rail, a slidable slot-closer arranged within the conduit,means for holding said slot-closer normally in engagement with the rail for closing the slot, and means carried by the moving car for engagement with the slot-closer to move the same and open the slot, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

JOHN B. LARKIN.

IIO 

